An inquest into his death heard that Michael had started drinking the previous day while still in the UK, celebrating England's win against Colombia in the World Cup.

When they arrived in the resort, Michael and his friends met up with others who were already there, and carried on drinking all day and into the evening.

His devastated friends discovered what had happened when police knocked on the apartment door.

Michael fell to his death from the fourth floor (Image: MEN Media)

Michael's childhood friend Matthew Thomas told the inquest, held at North Manchester Coroners' Court on Friday, that the friends had arrived in Benidorm in the early hours of Wednesday, July 4.

He described how they had been 'drinking pretty much since Tuesday tea time', during the England match, and throughout their time in the resort.

He last spoke to Michael in a bar, checking on him after he went to sit alone to take a moment for himself, which was something he often did.

Matthew told the hearing that although the group had had a lot to drink, Michael hadn't drunk so much that he was unwell.

He said: "If he had been like that we would have looked after him."

Following his death, Michael's family travelled to Benidorm to visit the apartment block.

His dad Paul has shared photos he took of the railings Michael fell from, which he says are about three and a half feet high, with the Manchester Evening News.

Paul also shared the eulogy he read at his son's funeral, which is reproduced below.

The Heywood hearing heard that Michael had on occasion suffered from low mood and could struggle with his temper.

The 21-year-old had been passionate about football from a young age (Image: MEN Media)

In 2015 he deliberately drove his car into a tree in what he later told medics was a 'spur of the moment' act.

But coroner Catherine McKenna said she was satisfied that Michael's death was in no way intentional.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, Ms KcKenna said: "The evidence suggests he had fallen backwards from a stairwell while waiting for friends to come to the apartment.

"It is likely that a degree of intoxication would have impaired Michael's balance.

"It's clear to me that Michael was a talented and popular young man. It is obvious he is very loved and deeply missed."

Former Little Lever High School pupil Michael had been playing in the first team at Bolton-based Little Lever Sports Club in the Lancashire Amateur League.

He had also had spells with academies at Manchester United, Bury and Accrington, and had represented his home town, playing for the Bolton Town team.

Following Friday's inquest, Paul paid tribute to his 'well mannered, polite and kindhearted' son, who had a passion for football.

He said: “There is not a day goes by that Michael is not desperately missed by his family and friends, the pain that has been and is being felt by all is almost unbearable.

“Though he will be absent from future memories, memories yet to be made, Michael remains a wonderful son, brother and so much more and will always be in our hearts.

“Today's inquest has enabled us to get past one more hurdle in our daily, weekly, monthly lives, we count the seconds, minutes and hours ever since Michael left us.

“Michael was such a wonderful person to be around.

“Sleep well son.”

Friends and family have been left devastated by Michael's death (Image: MEN Media)

'He had such an impact on people that a hole has been left in the lives that he touched'

Paul's eulogy to Michael

Thank you all for being here today to celebrate the brief but wonderful life of my son, Michael. It's absolutely fantastic to see such a turn out.

Michael was born on October 16, 1996. He passed away at the youthful age of 21.

They say that a candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long. Though not long, Michael certainly lived a life, enjoying himself along the way, meeting people, making friends.

He leaves behind not only a heartbroken family, but an extended family of great friends who will also miss him dearly.

He had such an impact on people that a hole has been left in the lives that he touched. Testament to this are the condolence messages left by people from all over the world.

Even from people who didn't know Mike, but felt compelled to leave a message, touched by his story.

Having read the heartfelt comments on sympathy cards, on Facebook and on Mike's memorial page from people that knew him, I feel so proud of him.

Proud that he grew into such a well-liked young man, known and loved by so many people.

No one was around to witness the fall (Image: MEN Media)

He was well mannered, polite and kindhearted with an infectious smile; such an infectious smile. He needed to use it more, but when he did it would light up the room.

He tried to please others and would support those around him as best he could. Mike was an emotional soul, his tattoos on his body reflected this, the feathers representing the passing of his grandads Michael and Colin, and the angel wings for his beloved dog Sally.

Though he had other activities, football was his main passion. He was a very talented footballer. He lived for football and was a pleasure to watch, his blistering pace was hard to play against.

He started playing football in the hallway when we lived on Church Street, about the age of three. As a toddler, Joseph would line toys up on the stairs to form the spectators to watch the ensuing match.

His skills developed and he joined LLSC at the tender age of five, that same year before his sixth birthday he joined Manchester City academy.

Michael played football for a total of 16 years, playing for a number of other football clubs, Walshaw, Ramsbottom and Padiham, also professional academies including spells at Manchester United, Bury and Accrington.

He represented his home town playing for the Bolton Town Team, its no wonder his legs ached.

In total he spent some 13 years with Little Lever, being the third generation of the Jones family to play for the club.

Having seen my football skills some would say he was only the second generation to actually play, after his Grandad and namesake Michael Jones.

Michael worked for Worcester as a Field Service Engineer for almost 4 years. He went through two years as an apprentice, another year as a trainee and was about to complete his first full year as a qualified gas engineer.

He studied hard to get where he was spending a lot of time away from home at college in the midlands for the two years of his apprenticeship. He had a promising career ahead of him.

He loved to dance, he was exceptional at it, he got that from his father. He loved ‘rap’ music and rapped himself, we’d play some of the tracks but didn’t think they were appropriate for a church environment.

I have pushed myself year after year to succeed, to better myself for material gain and a so called ‘quality of life’.

Stood here right now that means nothing, I would give everything I posses and lay down my own life to have Michael back.

It’s times like this that make you re-access what your priorities are or maybe what they should be. For me family wins every time, I understand that now more than ever.

We have been overwhelmed, truly and genuinely humbled by the kind words, actions, support and condolences from everyone. Its difficult to put into words what this has meant to us and will continue to mean to us moving forward.

But you here today have lost someone too, someone dear to you, you need to support each other through this tough time.

I made a statement previously: “Cherish your children, tell them that you love them deeply, you never know if and when they will be taken from you."

But its not just about a parents love for a child. Have a look around here now, look at your parents, your friends, your relatives here today, its about all of you. Even if we live a full life we are only here for a short time, make the most of it.

Don't live life on regrets of what you should have said or done.

You’ll hear a song later today from The Script - The man that cant be moved. It’s Mikes favourite.

I wanted to know what it was about this song that Mike loved so much.

I read the lyrics, I listened to the music, Danny O' Donoghue sings and sums up where I am right now.